Nitish Kumar's JD(U) pulls support from BJP-led Manipur government

Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), a member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), formally withdrew its support for the BJP-led government in Manipur on Wednesday. 

In a statement released by JD(U)’s Manipur Chief, Ksh. Biren Singh, the party clarified that during the February/March 2022 State Assembly elections, six candidates were elected under JD(U)’s banner. However, shortly after, five JD(U) MLAs defected to the BJP. 

The trial for these defections under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India is still pending before the Speaker's Tribunal.

The JD(U) officially informed the office of the Governor, the Leader of the House (Chief Minister), and the Speaker of the Assembly regarding its decision to withdraw support from the BJP-led government following the party’s alliance with the INDIA bloc. 

“As such, the seating arrangement of the lone MLA of Janata Dal (United) in Manipur, Md Abdul Nasir, is made in the Opposition Bench in the last session of the Assembly by the Speaker. It is, hereby, further reiterated that Janata Dal (United), Manipur Unit does not support the BJP-led state government in Manipur, and our lone MLA, Md Abdul Nasir shall be treated as an opposition MLA in the House,” the statement emphasized.

This withdrawal of support follows the earlier move by the National People’s Party (NPP), led by Conrad Sangma, in November 2024. 

The NPP had pulled out from the BJP-led government in Manipur due to escalating tensions in the state. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma sent a letter to BJP National President JP Nadda, criticizing Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s administration for its failure to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy.

In the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, JD(U) won six seats, but five of its MLAs later switched allegiance to the BJP. Despite the party’s withdrawal, the BJP-led government in Manipur remains secure as it holds 37 seats in the 60-member assembly and enjoys the backing of five MLAs from the Naga People’s Front and three independents.